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Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Funeral details announced for former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan
The 51-year-old father-of-two passed away suddenly on Monday following an illness. His passing has been greeted with shock and sadness throughout Galway and Roscommon. The former garda will repose at his home in Drumaveg, Moycullen, County Galway on Wednesday, August 6, from 4 pm to 8 pm. His requiem Mass will take place on Thursday August 7tat 12 noon to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Moycullen. He will be laid to rest immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Predeceased by his father Donal, Don Connellan is survived by his wife Linda and their two sons, Eoin and Conor. He is also sadly missed by his mother Ellen (Nellie), brothers Adrian and David; mother-in-law Mary Clancy; his sisters-in-law Jacinta, Catherine, Ailish, Johanna, Laura, and brothers-in-law Paul, Gearoid and Gareth; his nieces and nephews Rachael, Cathal, Lilly, Jamie, Lily, Luke, Ellen, Finn, Mason and Cooper; aunts and uncles, cousins, the extended Connellan and Clancy families; his colleagues and friends in An Garda Siochana and the GAA community in Kilmore, Roscommon, Moycullen and Galway. Moycullen GAA and Kilmore GAA have paid glowing tributes to Mr Connellan, who played with the Roscommon senior team throughout the 1990s and won a Connacht title with them in 2001. His home club, Kilmore GAA. described him as 'an exceptional person' who 'who lived his life with the utmost integrity'. As well as enjoying a lengthy career with Roscommon at every age grade, Mr Connellan featured in three Roscommon senior county finals for his club. After moving to Moycullen, he spent six seasons in charge of the Moycullen GAA's senior team, guiding them to an All-Ireland club semi-final in 2022 before stepping down in 2023 due to health difficulties.
Irish Independent
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Roscommon GAA club ‘shocked and heartbroken' at the loss of Don Connellan
Kilmore GAA have paid a lengthy and heartfelt tribute to Mr Connellan following his passing at the age of 51. Mr Connellan was a standout player for Roscommon throughout the 1900s and featured in their 2001 Connacht final victory over Mayo. He played primarily at midfielder or in the half-forward line and featured in three senior county finals (1998, 1999 and 2001) for Kilmore GAA. After he finished playing, he moved into management with Moycullen GAA in County Galway. After six seasons in charge of their senior team, he stood back from his position in 2023 due to health difficulties after leading them to two senior county titles and an All-Ireland club semi-final in 2022. He had been suffering with illness when he passed away earlier this week. In a statement, Kilmore GAA said: 'Our club and our community are shocked and heartbroken at the devastating news of the sudden passing of our great friend and true Kilmore legend, Don Connellan. 'No words can truly do justice to what Don meant to Kilmore GAA. He represented our club with distinction over many years — as a player, coach, and manager — showing immense pride, honesty, integrity, and leadership both on and off the pitch. Don was a key player for us on countless occasions and played a vital role in the senior team that reached three County Senior Finals in 1998, 1999, and 2001, narrowly missing out on claiming the Senior championship title.' As well as representing Roscommon at all age grades, Mr Connellan represented Connacht in the Railway Cup and won a Sigerson Cup medal with UCG in 1992. He was part of NUI Galway's All-Ireland winning Sigerson Cup team in 2022. 'Away from the GAA, Don was an exceptional person — a loyal friend to so many and someone who lived his life with the utmost integrity,' continued Kilmore GAA. 'His passing leaves a void that we, as friends and a community, will struggle to come to terms with in the days, months, and years ahead. 'But perhaps Don's greatest quality was the love he had for his family and home. From his childhood in Clooncoose to his life in Moycullen, home and family meant everything to him. Nothing brought him more joy than his regular visits back to Kilmore to see his parents — his late father Donal and his mother Nellie — his brothers Adrian and David, the wider Connellan family, and his many friends in Kilmore. 'Don loved Kilmore, and Kilmore loved Don.' The club paid tribute to his contribution to Moycullen GAA, where he lived with his wife Linda and sons Eoin and Conor for the past two decades. 'As a club and community, we are devastated by Don's loss. But our grief is nothing compared to the unimaginable pain that Linda, Eoin, Conor, Nellie, Adrian, David, and the extended Clancy and Connellan families are feeling. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to you all,' added Kilmore GAA 'In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we will do everything we can to bring some comfort and light during this dark time. 'Don, you will be deeply missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know you. 'Rest easy, Don - you were one of the best.' Moycullen GAA have also paid tribute to Mr Connellan, who was a member of An Garda Síochána. His funeral details have yet to be announced.
Irish Times
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan dies aged 51
Roscommon GAA has paid tribute to former player Don Connellan, who has died at the age of 51. Connellan represented Roscommon at minor, under-21 and senior level. He was a key member of the Connacht SFC winning side in 2001, coming off the bench to feature in the 2-10 to 1-12 provincial final win over Mayo at Dr Hyde Park. He also won three county titles with his home club of Kilmore (1998, 1999, 2001) before moving to Galway , where he managed Moycullen to senior success in 2020 and 2022. 'An overwhelming sense of sorrow and sadness has fallen upon our county and on my own club Kilmore, since the news of Don's passing on Monday,' said Roscommon chairman Brian Carroll. READ MORE 'There are no words that can truly capture what Don meant to Kilmore GAA Club. Don loved Kilmore, and Kilmore loved Don. He was a mighty footballer – a joy to watch on the pitch – and his leadership and class were evident throughout his many years playing for Kilmore. 'Don also showed his immense talent, ability & leadership while representing Roscommon at all levels, making 73 appearances for the Roscommon senior team and scoring 3-38. He also had the honour of representing Roscommon on the Connacht Railway Cup team. 'Off the pitch, Don was equally exceptional – a top-class gentleman and a true friend to so many. I had the pleasure of visiting Don at his home in Moycullen last Wednesday, just days before his sudden passing. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had that time with him. It's a memory I will always hold close. 'On behalf of Roscommon GAA, I extend my deepest sympathy to Don's wife, Linda; his sons, Eoin and Conor; his mother, Nellie; his brothers, Adrian and David; the extended Clancy and Connellan families; and all of Don's many friends. 'No words can truly console you at this terrible time. Don's absence will be felt deeply in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to have known him.'
